Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Into the Text
It is hard to comprehend Paul’s command to not be anxious about anything. Just this morning, before I started writing this devotion, my heart and mind filled with anxious thoughts concerning the events of my day. It is hard not to be anxious in a stressed-out world. And yet Paul encourages us by saying that the very peace of God will guard our hearts and minds so that we don’t have to be anxious.
I love the word “guard” in this translation. It doesn’t mean that attacks won’t come our way. It doesn’t mean storms won’t blow in. But what it does mean is God can guard us in these attacks.
When we pray to God and make our requests known to Him, He promises to give us peace that transcends our understanding. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. We can trust that He will guard our hearts and minds as we surrender our anxieties to Him.
Even though an unseen battle rages all around us, we do not need to be afraid. Since we have believed in the gospel of peace, we know that we are right with God. And if God is for us, who can be against us (See Romans 8:31)? Therefore, we can have peace in the midst of cancer diagnoses. Peace in the midst of unwanted divorce papers. Peace in the midst of empty bank accounts. God’s peace is what He gives, and that is precisely what we need to stand firm and stand strong.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the peace that You give to me. Thank You for calming the storm within me even if the storm around me continues to rage. I trust You in this. Help me to remain steadfast because You are my foundation. Help me keep my eyes solely on You and experience the peace that only You can give.